Snap-fit right angle adjustor mechanism

ABSTRACT

A simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aiming of a headlamp assembly in automobiles and the like includes a gear encircling a bushing and an adjustor screw that is journaled through the bushing. The adjustor mechanism is snapped into a stationary component of the headlamp assembly and the aiming of the headlamp is manually adjusted by using a drive tool. The adjustor mechanism has a series of indication lines that allow the user to adjust the aiming of the headlamp assembly back to its desired position if the headlamp assembly becomes misaligned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for adjusting theaiming of a headlamp assembly in automobiles and the like. The inventionmore specifically relates to a novel adjustor mechanism that can besnapped into a stationary component of the headlamp assembly, andemployed to control the position of a relatively movable component, suchas the reflector or the entire headlamp housing.

Following assembly of an automobile, the headlamps must be set to theirdesired position. This is generally accomplished by use of sophisticatedphotometric metering equipment and manually adjusting the headlampsuntil the headlamps point in the desired location. Adjustment is usuallyaccomplished by using an adjustor mechanism of the general type and kindto which the present invention relates.

Also, due to vibration or an accident, the headlamps may move out of thedesired aiming location. With certain prior art adjustor mechanisms,there is no way to attain the desired initial position or alignmentwithout use of specialized equipment. With the present invention, theinitial or "zero" position of the movable headlamp component isindicated and the operator need only adjust the position of the headlampby using the adjustor mechanism to move the headlamp back to its initialor "zero" position.

Adjustor mechanisms for adjusting the aiming of a headlamp to a desiredlocation are well-known in the art. Examples of an existing prior artadjustor mechanisms can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,303; 5,067,052;5,032,964; 4,674,018; 4,893,219 and 4,939,945, and generally uses anadjusting screw or a gear box that consists of a pair of gears, ahousing, caps, bushing, washer, and adjusting screws or shafts. Thesemechanisms require several assembly steps and several ultrasonic weldingoperations which increase the cost of the mechanism.

The present invention comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting theaiming of a headlamp assembly in automobiles and the like that has fewerparts and requires fewer steps to assemble. The adjustor mechanismgenerally includes a bushing that is encircled by a gear and an adjustorscrew that is journaled through the bushing. The adjustor mechanism issnapped into a stationary component of the headlamp assembly and theaiming of the headlamp is manually adjusted by using a drive tool. In apreferred embodiment, a series of indicator lines on the adjustormechanism allow the "zero" or initial position to be indicated and theuser to adjust the aim of the headlamp assembly back to the desiredposition, if the headlamp assembly becomes misaligned for any reason.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmeans for manually adjusting the aiming of a headlamp.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedadjustor mechanism with fewer components than prior art adjustormechanisms.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustormechanism that allows for ease of adjusting by using a visual indicationmeans.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide an adjustormechanism that prevents moisture from entering the headlamp assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified elevational view of a headlamp assembly employingthe adjustor mechanism according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustor embodiment shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the assembled adjustor of FIG. 2with a vial-like indicator portion partially broken away;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the adjustor embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the vial-like indicator portion of theadjustor mechanism of the present invention illustrating a misalignedposition;

FIG. 6 is a partial view similar to FIG. 5 of the adjustor mechanism ofthe present invention illustrating an aligned position;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention which does not include an indicator means;

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the presentinvention similar to FIG. 1, and using an alternate means of rotatingthe bushing component;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view along the line 10--10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view along the line 11--11 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar toFIG. 7, and using an additional means of rotating the bushing component;

FIG. 13 is a partial end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment ofthe present invention using an alternate means of rotating the bushingcomponent, and

FIG. 15 is a partial end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms,there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail,specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered an exemplification of the principles of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to those asillustrated and described herein.

The adjustor mechanism 20 of the present invention is used to adjust theaiming of a movable headlamp component 22, such as a reflector member orthe like. A single adjustor mechanism 20 adjusts the movable component22 in a horizontal direction, while another similar adjustor mechanismis used to adjust the movable component 22 in a vertical direction (notshown). When the adjustor mechanism 20 is actuated by a suitable drivetool 24, it will pivot the headlamp component 22 about its axis until adesired aiming of the headlamp is achieved as indicated by arrow 23.

In the present invention, the adjustor mechanism 20 is assembled to andinserted through a stationary component 26 of the headlamp assembly 28such as the headlamp housing and is engaged with the movable component22 of the assembly, namely the reflector. The adjustor mechanism 20 isgenerally comprised of an adjusting screw 30, a bushing 32, a gearmember 34 and a vial-like indicator assembly 36. One advantage to thisadjustor mechanism 20 is that there are fewer parts to manufacture andassemble than prior art adjustor mechanisms. Therefore, lower assemblycosts, both in manpower and equipment needed to assemble the mechanism,are achieved while still maintaining the adjustment function of priorart gearboxes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the adjustor mechanism 20 is attachedto a stationary component 26, the reflector housing, through an aperture38. By attaching the adjustor mechanism 20 to the reflector housing 26,an ease in manufacturing the reflector housing 26 is achieved since onlyan aperture 38 needs to be molded into the reflector housing 26. Theadjusting screw 30 is engaged with the pivotable component 22, thereflector.

The adjusting screw 30 is comprised of an elongated threaded shaft 40with a ball portion 42 at an end. The ball 42 is disposed in a socket 44formed on the pivotable component 22. The ball 42 and socket 44 arecomplementarily shaped. The ball 42 has fixed ears or nibs 46 in aspaced apart relationship which are fitted into complementary slots orspaces in the socket 44. The engagement of the nibs 46 in said slotscauses the ball 42 to be held in the socket 44 and to be fixed againstrotation.

The adjustor screw 30 is received within a bushing 32 which is attachedto the stationary component 26. The bushing 32 may be and is preferablymade of a plastic material by appropriate manufacturing methods such asmolding and the like. The bushing 32 is generally comprised of aresilient, nose-like portion 48 made up of a plurality of resilientfinger elements and a base 50.

The base 50 is generally cylindrical with an axial bore 52 extendingtherethrough. The diameter of the bore 52 is slightly smaller than themajor diameter of the screw thread on the shaft 40. In the preferredembodiment, initially the bore 52 is smooth and unthreaded. The shaft 40is inserted into the bore 52 by screwing the threaded shaft 40 into thebore 52 thereby creating or cold forming complementary female threads inthe bore 52. This sets up a frictional degree of prevailing torque inthe system and insures a tight fit between the bore 52 and the threadedshaft 40 so that the shaft 40 will not easily vibrate out of placeduring operation of the automobile. It is envisioned, however, that thebore 52 may be initially threaded and the shaft 40 merely rotated intoplace. One end of the base is a shaped portion 54 and the other endterminates in a flange 56. Both ends 54 and 56 of the base 50 will bedescribed in greater detail herein.

The finger-like projections or portion 48 of the bushing 32 has severalelongated extensions or fingers 58 arrayed in a circular configurationwith alternating longitudinal slots 60. An opening 62 is included in thecenter of the arrangement for receiving the threaded shaft 40 therein.The diameter of the opening 62 is preferably larger than the diameter ofthe adjustor screw 30.

The rear portions 64 of the fingers 58 are connected to the flange 56 onthe base 50 of the bushing 32. The back end 64 has a reduced area 66that is substantially the same diameter and substantially the samelength as the aperture 38 in the stationary component 26. Thus, when thebushing 32 is inserted into the aperture 38, the reduced area 66 fitssnugly into the aperture 38.

The other end of the fingers 58 is comprised of a partially conical ortapered head 68 having a shoulder 70 at the rearward end of the head 68,which head gradually tapers from back to front. The tapering of the head68 facilitates the entry of the fingers 58 into the aperture 38 of thestationary component 26.

The fingers 58 are integral with the bushing and are flexible and may bemade of a resilient plastic material or the like. The fingers 58 areresilient and are capable of flexing inwardly and then returning totheir initial position to in effect provide a snap-fit type ofengagement. In order to insert the bushing 32 into the stationarycomponent 26, the fingers 58 are pushed through the stationary componentaperture 38. The fingers 58 will flex inwardly a sufficient distance inorder to pass through the aperture 38 and then snap back to theiroriginal position so that the shoulder 70 and reduced area 66 engage theinner periphery 72 of the aperture 38 once the head 68 of the fingers 58has passed through. The flange 56 on the base 50 prevents the fingers 58from moving further into the aperture 38 once the head 68 has clearedthe aperture 38 since the flange 56 will abut the stationary component26. Thus, the adjustor 20 via bushing 32 is effectively snapped into thestationary component 28. The finger 58 permits the bushing 32 to rotatewith respect to the stationary component 28, but said bushing 32 andadjustor 20 are fixed against translational movement.

Attached to the shaped portion 54 of the bushing 32 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-8 is a stamped or die cast, metal gear 34. The gear 34 hascircular body 74 with an aperture 76 in the center. Surrounding theoutermost extent of the body 74, are a series of teeth 78 which protrudefrom the gear 34 at a 90° angle from the body 74. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the teeth 78 protrude in the forward direction. It isto be understood, however, that the teeth 78 may also protrude in therearward direction.

The shaped portion 54 of the bushing 32 is inserted into the aperture 76in the center of the gear 34 which has a complementary non-circularshape in order to create a tight fit and fix the gear 34 and bushing 32against rotation. The shapes of the aperture 76 in the gear 34 and theshaped portion 54 may take any of several forms. In the preferredembodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, the shaped portion 54 of the bushing32 and the aperture 76 in the gear 34 are in complementary hexagonalconfigurations.

Also attached to the shaped portion 54 of the bushing 32 of thisembodiment is a vial-like indicator assembly 36. The vial-like indicatorassembly 36 is generally comprised of a transparent plastic vial member80 and a plunger member 82 also made out of a plastic material or thelike.

The transparent vial 80 is cylindrical in shape and has a cylindricalportion 83 with a bore 84 extending therethrough. The front end 86 ofthe vial 80 terminates in a flange 87 which has a shaped aperture 88that is in a complementary shape to the shaped portion 54 of the bushing32. The vial 80 is non-rotatably attached to the bushing 32 by anultrasonic weld or glue. When the vial 80 is ultrasonically welded orglued to the bushing 32, the gear 34 is captured and held into place.This enables the vial 80, the gear 34 and the bushing 32 to maintain atight fit and to be non-rotatably assembled with respect to each other.The rearward end 90 of the vial terminates in an area 92 of graduallyincreasing diameter. This enables the user to easily insert the plunger82 into the vial 80 because the plunger 82 will be able to slide alongthe area 92 of gradually increasing diameter.

The outside diameter of the plunger 82 is slightly smaller than theinner diameter of the vial cylindrical bore 84 so as to allow theplunger 82 to be free to be moved back and forth within the vial 80. Theplunger 82 is frictionally captured in the vial 80 by using severalO-rings 94 that encircle the plunger 82 and also contact the vial 80when the plunger 82 is inserted into the vial 80. The O-rings 94 providea moisture seal along the vial/plunger interface and also create adegree of friction or prevailing torque in the vial-like assembly 36 andtherefore, the plunger 82 will not easily rotate or vibrate out ofposition during operation of the automobile. The rearward end 96 of theplunger 82 terminates in a shaped handle 98 that the user can grasp inorder to move and rotate the plunger 82 to attain the zero position asdiscussed hereinafter.

The plunger 82 has an internal axial bore 100 that receives the adjustorscrew 30. The diameter of the bore 100 is slightly smaller than theouter diameter of the shaft 40 of the adjustor screw 30. In thepreferred embodiment, initially the bore 100 is smooth and unthreaded.The shaft 40 is inserted into the bore 100 by rotating the handle 98,thus screwing the threaded shaft 40 into the bore 100 thereby creatingcomplementary female threads in the bore 100. This sets up a prevailingtorque in the system and insures a tight fit between the bore 100 andthe threaded shaft 40 so that the shaft 40 will not vibrate out of placeduring operation of the automobile. It is envisioned, however, that thebore 100 may be initially threaded and the shaft 40 merely rotated intoplace. It should be noted that the plunger 82 can move relative to theadjustor screw 40 and the cylindrical portion 83 of the vial 80 uponrotation of the handle 98. This movement is controlled due to thethreaded engagement of the shaft 40 of the adjustor screw 30 with theinternal bore 100 of the plunger 82. The purpose and function of thisstructure will become clear from the discussion to follow concerning useof the indicator portion to provide an indication of the zero position.

A problem that occurs with adjustor mechanisms is that since theadjustor mechanism is attached to the outside of headlamp assembly, itis exposed to outside elements, such as moisture, that could damage theheadlamp and its wiring. Furthermore, the adjustor mechanism must beable to pass a water spray or dunk test in order to meet the requiredstandards as set forth in the automotive industry. In order to preventany moisture from entering the headlamp assembly, appropriate sealingmeans must be provided within the adjustor mechanism 20 and also betweenthe stationary and movable components and the adjustor mechanism 20. Asshown in the figures, several O-rings 94 encircle the plunger 82 in thevial-like indicator assembly 36, as described hereinabove, and maintaina fluid-tight seal between the vial 80 and the plunger 82. AnotherO-ring 102 encircles the bushing 32 forward of the flange 56 at thepoint where the adjustor mechanism 20 contacts the stationary housingcomponent 26 in order to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the bushing32 and the stationary component 26. Therefore, the adjustor mechanism 20and the headlamp assembly 28 are completely sealed.

An additional feature shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a journalstructure 104 for the drive tool 24, which journal structure is locatedat a distance above the base 50 of the bushing 32 and attached to thereflector housing 26. The journal 104 holds or assists in positioningthe drive tool 24 in place during rotation. In the preferred embodiment,the journal 104 is a bifurcated flange in the general form of an archand is made of a suitable plastic material. Using a bifurcated archmakes the molding process easier due to the ability to use a die withoutside-pull cords. However, it is to be understood that the journal 104may be formed as a continuous arch.

The indicator function of the assembly 36 will now be considered. Aswill be recalled, after assembly of the automobile, the reflector 22 ismoved to the desired or initial position using factory alignmenttechniques and through operation of the adjustor 20 and movement of theadjustor screw 30 employing the drive tool 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1.When the aligned position is attained, this will generally result in theplunger 82 arriving at an initial position, such as that as illustratedin FIG. 5. In this regard, it should be noted that the plunger 82 isprovided with indicia or indicator means 106, while the transparent vial80 includes zero position indicia 108 which may be flanked by additionalindicia as shown. Thus, when the preferred or aligned position for theheadlight is attained, it is unlikely that the indicia 106 on theplunger will align with the zero indicia 108 on the vial. Most likely,the condition will be as illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the indicia 106is to the left or right of the zero indicator 108, as viewed. At thispoint, the operator or mechanic will employ the handle 98 to rotate theplunger 82 to cause the plunger to move linearly along the threadedshaft 40 until the plunger indicia 106 is lined up with the zero indicia108 on the vial. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 6 and representswhat is termed the "zero position". Once the zero position is attained,rotation of the plunger 96 stops and is not further employed.

During operation of the vehicle, the headlamp reflector 22 may move outof the desired position due to vibration, accidents or the like. Whenthis occurs, the indicia 106 and 108 will again become misaligned,similar to FIG. 5. When this occurs, and a mechanic desires to adjustthe headlamp back to its initial position, he need merely employ a drivetool 24, as shown in FIG. 1, and rotate the gear 34 which in turn willproduce rotation of the bushing 50 and linear movement of the adjustorscrew 30 due to the fact that the balled end 42 is held against rotationby the engagement of the ears 46 in the slots and the socket on the backof the reflector. Linear movement of the adjustor screw 30 will alsoproduce linear movement of the plunger 82 which is threadedly connectedthereto. The operator merely continue to move the adjustor screw andplunger until the indicia 106 again realign with the zero position 108.When this occurs, the mechanic can be relatively assured that theheadlamp has been moved back to the initial position.

With regard to the drive tool 24, it should be noted that it ispreferred to employ a standard Phillips® head on the screwdriver whichwill mate with the teeth 78 on the stamped gear 34. This eliminates theneed for expensive and special adjustment tooling, as virtually everymechanic has access to Phillips® head screwdrivers.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-15, many of the details of theadjustor mechanism 20 are the same, except for the differences describedhereinbelow.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the vial-like adjustor assembly 36 ofthe previous embodiment is replaced with an encapsulator 112 assembly.The encapsulator 112 is a one piece vial that completely encloses therear end 114 of the adjustor screw 30. The front end 116 of theencapsulator 112 terminates in flange 118 that is similar to the flange87 of the vial 80 in FIGS. 1-6. The encapsulator 112 is ultrasonicallywelded or glued to the bushing 32 in the same manner as the vial-likeassembly 36 is attached as described hereinabove. The encapsulator 112may be made of a plastic material and may be transparent. Theencapsulator 112 serves to prevent moisture from entering the headlampassembly 28. As can be appreciated, this design does not provide forrecording of the zero positions as discussed above. The adjustormechanism 20', however, can be assembled to a housing using the snap-fittype of engagement discussed above and provided by fingers 58.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the adjustor mechanism 20" isemployed in an arrangement, wherein the entire headlamp assembly,indicated as 134, pivots. This is in contrast to the FIG. 1 embodimentwherein the assembly 28 is stationary and only the reflector 22 ispivoted. As such, with this embodiment the adjustor mechanism 20" is ofsimilar design and the bushing 32 may be inserted into a stationarybracket 120 instead of the reflector housing 26 as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6. In the preferred form, the bracket 120 takes the form of anL-shape having two legs 122 and 124 arranged perpendicularly. It is tobe understood that other forms of the bracket 120 may be used. TheL-shaped bracket 120 is secured to a frame 126 of an automobile byappropriate means in a manner such that the bracket 120 remainsstationary. The L-shaped bracket 120 has an aperture 128, similar to theaperture 38 in the reflector housing 26 of FIGS. 1-6, on one leg 122 ofthe bracket 120 for accepting the fingers 58 of the bushing 32 asdescribed hereinabove. Thus, the adjustor mechanism 20" can be snappedinto the stationary bracket 120 and the mechanism will function in thesame manner as described hereinabove.

As also illustrated in FIG. 8, the ball 42 of the adjustor screw 30 maybe held in a plastic socket 130 inserted into an opening in the stamping132 that is secured to a movable headlamp assembly 134. The headlampassembly 134 is modified to include a flange 136 for attaching thestamping 132 thereto. The stamping 132 is secured to the flange 136 onthe movable headlamp assembly 134 by a mounting screw 138 or otherappropriate means. Thus, when the mechanic rotates the screwdriver 24,the gear 34 and the bushing 32 are rotated which, in turn, causes theadjustor screw 30 to translate which displaces the position of thestamping 132 thereby causing the headlamp assembly 134 to pivot.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a worm gear drive 140 replaces thestamped metal gear 34 and drive tool 24 of FIGS. 1-6. The worm gearassembly 140 is comprised of a worm gear 142 and a worm screw 144. Inthis embodiment, the reflector housing 26 is modified to include aflange 146 whose function will be described in detail herein.

In this embodiment, the bushing 32 is similar to that as describedabove, except that the worm gear 142 is formed as an integral partthereof during the molding operation. While a one-piece worm gear andbushing component is contemplated, the elements could be provided byseparate components. As shown in FIG. 10, the combination worm gear andbushing has a central aperture indicated at 148 in which the adjustorscrew 30 is engaged in a manner similar to that of bore 52 in that bore50 of the bushing 32 of FIGS. 1-6. The outer edge 150 of the worm gear142 has a series of teeth 152 for engagement with the spiral thread onscrew 144 as described herein.

The worm screw 144, as shown in FIG. 9, consists of a shaft 154 having aspiral thread and a drive head 156 at one end of the shaft 154. A flange158 is also included between the threaded shaft 154 and the drive head156. As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the flange 158 and drive head 156of the worm screw 144 are captively held between the flange 87 on thevial 80 and an aperture 160 in the flange 136 of the reflector housing26. Thus, the worm screw 144 is held captive against linear movement orremoval and can only rotate. The captive drive head 156 has a toolreceiving recess 162 in its top-most portion for engagement with acomplementary drive tool 24. The design of the recess 162 may take anyof several forms and, for example, be designed in order to fit a Torx®drive tool or a Phillips® head screwdriver.

In operation, a user engages the drive tool 24 into the recess 162 ofthe drive head 156. The user then rotates the drive head 162 which, inturn, causes the worm screw 144 to rotate. The worm screw 144 engagesthe teeth 152 of the worm wheel 142 and imparts rotation to the wormwheel 142 which in turn rotates the bushing 32. The bushing 32 is fixedagainst translation, as described hereinabove, so translation isimparted to the adjustor screw 30 since the adjustor screw 30 is alsofixed against rotation. The adjustor screw 30, in turn, causes thereflector 22 to pivot.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is similar to the adjustment assembly20' of FIG. 7, described hereinabove, with the addition of analternative drive means 164. This drive means 164 allows an operator toadjust the assembly from a rearward end 166 of the assembly. Thealternative drive means 164 is integral with the rearward end 166 of theencapsulator 112 and includes a drive head 168 that protrudes rearwardlyfrom the end 166 of the encapsulator 112. The drive head 168 isengagable with a complementarily shaped drive tool.

The drive head 168 may take one of many forms. In the preferredembodiment, and as best illustrated in FIG. 13, the outer periphery 170of the drive head 168 has a hexagonal shape while the inner periphery ofthe drive head 168 is of a hexlobular design, of the well-known Torx®drive system. Thus, two different standard drive tools may be used whicheliminates the need for special tools.

In operation, the operator engages the drive tool with the drive head168 and rotates the drive tool which causes the drive head 168,encapsulator 112 and bushing 32 to rotate. This causes the adjustorscrew 40 to translate and the reflector 22 to pivot as describedhereinabove.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 14, illustrates another assembly 20"' thatcan be adjusted from a rearward end 172 of the assembly 20"'. The gear34 of FIG. 1 has been eliminated in order to allow the bushing 32 andthe vial 80 to be integral with each other. This forms elongate bushing174 which extends beyond the rearmost end of the adjustor screw 30. Theplunger 82 is replaced by a plug 176 thereby eliminating the need forthe area of gradually increasing diameter 92. The indicia function ofFIG. 1 has also been eliminated.

In the preferred embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 15, the outerperiphery 178 of the elongate bushing's rear end 180 is of a hexagonalshape which is engagable with a complementarily shaped drive tool. Uponrotation of the drive tool by an operator, the elongate bushing 174 isrotated thereby causing the adjustor screw 30 to rotate which causes thereflector 22 to pivot as described hereinabove. It is to be understoodthat the outer periphery 178 of the rear end 180 may be of other shapes.

The inner periphery 182 of the elongate bushing's rear end 180 is alsoof a hexagonal shape in the preferred embodiment and is fitted with acomplementarily shaped plug 176. The hexagonal shapes will prevent theplug 176 from rotating inside the elongate bushing's rear end 180.Again, it is to be understood that the inner periphery 182 and the plug176 may take other shapes.

The plug 176 is made of a plastic material and is bonded, by suitablemeans such as glue, into the rear end 180 after the initial molding ofthe assembly 20"' is completed. The plug 176 seals the end of theelongate bushing 174 so that moisture may not enter the assembly 20"'.The plug 176 has a tool receiving recess 184 molded into its center inorder to allow the operator to engage a complementarily shaped tool topivot the reflector 22 as described hereinabove. The recess 184 may takeone of many shapes, and in the preferred embodiment a Torx® shape isused.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims. The invention is notintended to be limited by the foregoing disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An adjustment assembly for use in anautomotive headlamp arrangement to permit pivotal motion of a movableheadlamp component, such as a reflector member or the like, wherein theadjustment assembly is adapted to be mounted to a stationary componentof the overall headlamp arrangement, to effect pivotal motion of saidmovable component through which aiming of the headlamp beam is attained,said adjustment assembly comprising: an adjuster screw member having anelongate threaded shank and having one end adapted for operableengagement with the movable component, means for preventing relativerotation of said adjuster screw member, a bushing member adapted to berotatably engaged in an aperture formed in said stationary component,snap-fit means on said bushing for attaining said rotatable engagementin said aperture, said bushing including an axial bore in which saidthreaded shank of said adjuster screw member is operatively engaged, agear member non-rotatably secured to said bushing and including meansthereon for engagement by a drive member such that upon rotation of thedrive member, rotation is imparted to said bushing by said gear memberwhich will drive said adjustment screw linearly due to the non-rotatablemounting of said adjustment screw, which linear movement can be used toadjust the position of said movable component.
 2. An adjustment assemblyaccording to claim 1, further including means for sealing said bushingwith respect to said stationary component aperture.
 3. An adjustmentassembly according to claim 2, wherein said means for sealing saidbushing with respect to the stationary component includes a seal membercarried by said bushing which is engaged directly with said stationarycomponent aperture to seal the interface between said bushing and saidstationary component aperture from the entry of moisture into saidstationary component.
 4. An adjustment assembly according to claim 2,wherein said means for sealing said bushing includes a vial memberaffixed to a rear portion of said bushing to overlie and encompass theend of said adjusting screw, thereby preventing the entry of moistureinto said stationary component along the interface of said adjustingscrew and the bushing bore.
 5. An adjustment assembly according to claim4, wherein said vial includes drive means affixed to a rear portion ofsaid vial for engagement with a drive member such that upon rotation ofthe drive member, rotation is imparted to said vial and said bushing bysaid drive means which will drive said adjustment screw linearly due tothe non-rotatable mounting of said adjustment screw, which linearmovement can be used to adjust the position of said movable component.6. An adjustment assembly according to claim 5, wherein said drive meansincludes a drive head for engagement with a complementarily shaped drivetool.
 7. An adjustment assembly according to claim 6, wherein said drivehead has a hexagonal shape.
 8. An adjustment assembly according to claim6, wherein said drive tool is a standard Torx® type drive tool.
 9. Anadjustment assembly according to claim 1, wherein said snap-fit meansincludes a plurality of flexible fingers disposed about the bore of saidbushing and extending axially such that said fingers may enter theinterior of said stationary component through said stationary componentaperture, said fingers including means for engaging the inner peripheryof said stationary component aperture to maintain said bushing inrotatable mounting to said stationary component bore.
 10. An adjustmentassembly according to claim 9, wherein said fingers may flex to entersaid aperture and will return to their original position to engage theinner periphery of said aperture, with said adjusting screw beingdisposed radially inward of said fingers to maintain said fingers inengagement with said inner aperture in the assembled condition.
 11. Anadjustment assembly according to claim 1, further including incombination therewith, a drive member.
 12. An adjustment assemblyaccording to claim 11, wherein said drive member includes a Phillipstype drive tool bit captively mounted to said stationary component andhaving the driving end thereof engaged with the gear member means forengagement, said drive member further including means for engagementthereof by a second drive tool.
 13. An adjustment assembly according toclaim 11, wherein said drive member is a worm gear captively mounted tosaid stationary component for engagement with the gear member means forengagement.
 14. An adjustment assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid gear member means for engagement is adapted to be engaged by astandard Phillips type drive tool, such that rotation of said drive toolwhen engaged with said gear member means for engagement will producerotation of said gear member, and means for journaling and supportingsaid drive tool.
 15. An adjustment assembly according to claim 14,wherein said means for journaling and supporting said drive toolcomprises a bifurcated flange member on said apertured stationarycomponent.
 16. An adjustment assembly according to claim 1, furtherincluding zero adjustment means, which is adapted to provide anindication of a selected position for said movable component and alsoprovide an indication of a variance therefrom, such that said adjustmentassembly may be operated to return the movable component to the desiredposition.
 17. An adjustment assembly according to claim 16, wherein saidzero adjustment means comprises a transparent vial like componentaffixed to said bushing and rotatable therewith, said vial likecomponent extending over and encompassing the end of said adjustmentscrew, and having indicia thereon, said vial like component furtherincluding an open end portion, an indicator member disposed in the openend of said vial like component and adjustably engaged with saidadjustment screw, said indicator member having additional indiciathereon alignable with the indicia on said vial upon selectivepositioning thereof to provide an indication of a zero position, suchthat upon operation of said adjustment assembly to effect linearmovement of said adjusting screw, said indicator member can be movedsuch that the indicia thereon will move relative to the indicia on saidvial component to provide an indication of relative positioning.
 18. Anadjustment assembly according to claim 17, further including sealingmeans provided to seal the interface between said vial and saidindicator member to prevent the entry of moisture.
 19. An adjustmentassembly for use in an automotive headlamp arrangement to permit pivotalmotion of a movable headlamp component, such as a reflector member orthe like, wherein the adjustment assembly is adapted to be mounted to astationary component of the overall headlamp arrangement, to effectpivotal motion of said movable component through which aiming of theheadlamp beam is attained, said adjustment assembly comprising: anadjuster screw member having an elongate threaded shank and having oneend adapted for operable engagement with the movable component, meansfor preventing relative rotation of said adjuster screw member, abushing member adapted to be rotatably engaged in an aperture formed insaid stationary component, snap-fit means on said bushing for attainingsaid rotatable engagement in said aperture, said bushing including anaxial bore in which said threaded shank of said adjuster screw member isoperatively engaged, said bushing further including drive means on arearward end of said bushing for engagement by a drive member such thatupon rotation of the drive member, rotation is imparted to said bushingwhich will drive said adjustment screw linearly due to the non-rotatablemounting of said adjustment screw, which linear movement can be used toadjust the position of said movable component.
 20. An adjustmentassembly according to claim 19, wherein said drive means is a drive headthat is engagable with a complementarily shaped drive tool.
 21. Anadjustment assembly according to claim 20, wherein said drive head has ahexagonal shape.
 22. An adjustment assembly according to claim 19,wherein said drive means is a plug non-rotatably secured to the rear endof said bushing.
 23. An adjustment assembly according to claim 22,wherein said plug is engagable with a standard type Torx® drive tool.